From Soccer To Cirque Du Soleil -Abou Traore

I’m sure most of us felt the same way the first time we saw Cirque du Soleil we wanted to just drop everything and join the circus — that specific circus. Abou Traore felt the same way when he first laid eyes on the most magical of all circuses and now he is a part of the entertainment troupe in the Cirque du Soleil show “Luzia.”

Abou grew up in Paris and he loves to play soccer. Perhaps that is an understatement, he breathes soccer -that is, freestyle soccer. He can do things with that game that some people can only dream of doing. He can bounce the ball off any part of his body and make it look easy as pie.

He played soccer on a team for many years along with his brother and when an injury forced him off the squad he began to see the many possibilities of football freestyle and his interest in it only expanded when he watched Cirque du Soleil for the first time. He was hooked from the moment the performers began their athletically based and artistically honed enchanted exploits on the stage.

All of a sudden he found himself becoming obsessed with constantly watching Cirque du Soleil and training harder and harder in freestyle soccer. He told himself “One day I’ll be there” as it made him feel really happy and fulfilled. So when he heard that the show was looking for a soccer player. he immediately sent his video to the casting department. Not too long after that, Abou received a call that they wanted him to come in for an audition. Of course he got hired and to him, it was a dream that actually came true. “Five years ago,” he said, I was playing on the street. So now I know that hard work really does pay off and that dreams really do come true.”

On top of being an extremely fit athlete, Abou has also found out that more than 40% of Cirque du Soleil’s performers have a sports background. Not only are the acrobats athletes but there are swimmers and divers in other Cirque shows who have been athletes since they were kids. also. Abou works out and practices for hours every day and above all, is truly thrilled and grateful that he had the opportunity to (literally) run away with the circus.